John Jonaid
Candidate, M.A. in Migration and Diaspora Studies
Academic and Research Interests: My academic and research interests center on migration, diaspora, and human rights, with a particular focus on refugee protection, statelessness, and community resilience. I explore how forced displacement intersects with policy, identity, and advocacy, and I aim to bridge scholarly research with practical solutions that empower marginalized communities. My current work examines the Rohingya diaspora and global refugee policy frameworks, incorporating comparative perspectives on forced migration, integration, and transnational networks. I am particularly interested in policy innovation, community-driven approaches, and the role of media and storytelling in shaping public narratives and influencing systemic change.
Select Publications:
| Tempo – Australia`s Border Protection and the Rohingya – Dec 2018
New Naratif – Stateless in a Globalised World – July 2019 Latitude Adjustment – Stateless – Myanmar’s Rohingya People – Aug 2019 Overland – Refugees will not be silent: two months of protests in Makassar – Oct 2019 SBS News – I escaped genocide but I cannot escape Australia’s immigration policies – Sept 2019 Al Jazeera – We, the Rohingya youth, demand our right to an education – Dec 2019 BuzzFeed News – Refugees Stuck In Indonesia Are Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis – Feb 2020 SBS news – ‘Impossible to self-isolate,’ Refugees in Indonesia fear coronavirus outbreak – April 2020 Overland – A lost generation of refugee children In Indonesia – May 2020 Southeast Asia Globe – Across Indonesia, latest Covid-19 surge adds to woes of refugees in limbo – May 2020 Peril – A Lifetime in Lockdown – July 2020 SBS News – Asif wanted to be a lawyer in Australia. Instead, he took his own life in Indonesia – July 2020 Southeast Asia Globe – In Makassar, refugees rally for medical treatment in the shadow of the virus – Sept 2020 RightNow – Freedom Street: A Documentary Journey into the Australian Border policy – Sept 2020 SBS News – Why this refugee woman boxing champion cannot become an international star – Oct 2020 Eureka Street – My halted journey toward freedom – Dec 2020 BBC News Indonesia – Refugees in Indonesia – Jan 2021 BBC News Indonesia – Refugees in Indonesia – Aug 2021 Forced Migration Review – Public health and WASH / Non-signatory States and the international refugee regime – June 2021 Overland – Indefinite limbo drives refugees to take their own lives in Indonesia – Feb 2021 Open Canada – A Rohingya refugee’s flight to Canada – Feb 2022 CBC: I used to be stateless. That’s why I value my Canadian permanent resident card so much – Oct 2022 Open Canada: “We are dying please save us” Rohingya people have been adrift in the Andaman sea for weeks – Dec 2022 ABC Australia – The Ongoing Rohingya Crisis – Feb 2023 The Hill Times – No solution to the Rohingya crisis yet, but there is now hope – Dec 2023 Personal website Journal of Refugee Studies – Refugee Journalism in Indonesia: Self-Representation, Resistance, and Writing across Borders – Oct 2023 Open Canada – Standing Up for Women in Afghanistan – Feb 2024 Open Canada – The Rohingya Genocide – An Urgent Call to the Canadian Government – June 2024 Policy Options – Canada must lead in responding to the desperate plight of the Rohingya – June 2024 Hill Times – Canada must recommit to addressing the Rohingya crisis – Nov 2024 The New Humanitarian – Help the Rohingya to Help Themselves – Nov 2024 Open Canada: Refugees Deserve a Seat at the Table – August, 2025 |
Select Conference Presentations: Refugee Advisor – Canadian Delegation to UNHCR CRCP
Selected to join the Canadian delegation as a Refugee Advisor for the UNHCR Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (CRCP) in Geneva.
Participated in high-level discussions on global refugee resettlement, complementary pathways, and meaningful refugee participation.
Provided insights drawn from lived experience to help shape Canada’s international engagement and refugee policy priorities.
Engaged with international stakeholders, civil society, and refugee leaders to advocate for inclusive and rights-based approaches to protection and durable solutions.
Represented community perspectives in sessions focused on refugee co-leadership, accountability, and system change.
Volunteer, Practicum, and Work Experience:
| Professional Experience Advisor | Refugee Advisory Networks of Canada Ottawa, Canada | 2024 – Present Advise on refugee policy, ensuring that refugee voices are heard and integrated into advocacy and decision-making processes. Provide insights and recommendations on enhancing refugee support systems in Canada. consultant | Parliamentary Centre Ottawa, Canada | November 2024- March 2025 Mentoring a communication course for Myanmar’s emerging leaders through the Parliamentary Centre. Emphasizing effective advocacy, media literacy, and communication skills. Research & Advocacy Contributor Human Rights Research and Education Centre, UOttawa January 2025 – May 2025 Organized workshops for diasporic activists to build alliances for collective advocacy. Researched Rohingya human rights issues and policy solutions in collaboration with academic teams. Contributed to reports and policy recommendations on refugee protection and community resilience. Refugee Advisor – Canadian Delegation to UNHCR CRCP Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Seasonal Geneva, Switzerland | Jun 2025 (1 week) Joined Canada’s delegation to the UNHCR CRCP as a Refugee Advisor. Shared lived-experience insights to inform refugee policy. Engaged in global discussions on resettlement and complementary pathways. Advocated for inclusive, rights-based approaches and refugee co-leadership.Co-created a leading platform dedicated to cross-border storytelling, focusing on marginalized voices. Edited and mentored refugee writers, assisting them in sharing their narratives in international media. Led global campaigns that raised awareness about refugee and asylum seeker experiences. Co-Founder & Editorial Lead | The Archipelago Magazine Global | March 2019 – Present Communication Coordinator | Pivotree Toronto, Canada | April 2022 – October 2022 Supported diversity and inclusion initiatives, enhancing internal communication through multimedia strategies. Developed content for web and social media, advancing corporate advocacy and community outreach. Parliamentary Centre Fellow Parliamentary Centre, January 2023 – December 2023 Comprehensive Insight: Gained understanding of parliamentary procedures and governance. Enhanced Advocacy Skills: Improved communication and influence on the Rohingya crisis through direct interactions with policymakers. Networking and Mentorship: Built valuable connections and received mentorship to aid advocacy for marginalized communities. Legislative Assistant Advocacy Focus: Organized discussions on the Rohingya crisis with Myanmar representatives and raised Senate awareness. Youth Engagement: Utilized Senator McPhedran’s support to connect with youth advocacy groups, enhancing Canadian advocacy experience. Networking: Built relationships with influential individuals. Senator Marilou McPhedran’s Office, October 2023 – December 2023 UNHCR, Indonesia: Oct 2020 – May 2021 REPRESENTATIVE FOR ROHINGYA Advocated for Rohingya refugees by increasing awareness among local organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Worked alongside UNHCR to facilitate the release of refugees from detention, Employed legal and political strategies to safeguard their rights against detention and deportation. Communication Coordinator | Mohawk College Jan 2023 – Apr 2023 Conducted engaging interviews and crafted stories for publication. Promoted the organization’s profile through speeches and articles. Organized events to build relationships with partners and stakeholders. Legislative Assistant: MP Sameer Zuberi’s office Ottawa, Canada | April 2023 – June 2023 Led discussions on the Rohingya crisis in MP Sameer Zuberi’s office and raised Senate awareness. Engaged youth and community organizations for collaborative advocacy. Coordinated outreach to strengthen ties with MPs, ministers, and external partners. |
M.A. Supervisor: James Milner